Basically a dock leveler is an adjustable ramp that is designed to provide a transition plate from the building floor to the truck bed to be used during loading or unloading trucks. When a lift truck drives from the building floor across the dock leveler onto the bed of the delivery truck the trucks suspension lowers under the weight of the lift truck forcing the dock leveler platform and the extended lip assembly downward. When the lift truck drives back off the truck across the dock leveler in... Read More
Inflatable dock seals and inflatable truck shelters offer many advantages over traditional compression style dock seals and truck shelters. Inflatable dock seals minimize abrasion caused by the trailer as it moves up and down on the front of the seal during loading in comparison to the abrasion a comparable compression dock seal receives. With a trailer backed into position up against a compression style dock seal pressure is exerted on the building wall, an inflatable dock seal eliminates any p... Read More
Yes multiple lift tables can be ordered with synchronized operation. The question to first address is what level of synchronization is actually required and is the weight of the load on each lift table the same? Â Basic synchronization can often be accomplished through the use of a geared hydraulic flow divider. This system provides fairly consistent accuracy and repeatability however there may be some minor height variations during the operating cycle. With this design when all of the lift tabl... Read More
Vehicle restraints are designed to “lock” the trailer in position at the loading dock preventing unscheduled truck departure. In addition to mechanically locking the trailers rear impact guard in position the vehicle restraint safety system also provides visual communication to the truck driver and the loading dock attendant. The exterior red/green signal lights and sign package provides the truck driver with clear communication when it is safe to enter or leave the loading dock bay. The int... Read More
ProSeries remote power units are generally installed right on the floor within close proximity of the lift table. Remote power units are supplied with 10’ of hydraulic hose as standard however longer hydraulic hose lengths are available; depending on the model up to 35’ of hydraulic hose can be ordered. An optional wall mounting bracket is available to install the power unit up off the floor and out of harm’s way. It is recommended to install this option with a minimum of 6’ of under cle... Read More
A power plug on a 10’ cord is an option that is available on many models however it is not a standard feature provided on every lift table. As standard all lift tables are supplied with temporary wiring at time of shipment and these are intended only to initially activate and raise the lift table, the technician then engages the maintenance stand or safely blocks the lift table in the raised position. The temporary wiring is then removed and the permanent wiring completed by a qualified electr... Read More
There are 4 - 5 common control stations to choose from to operate a dock lift; the selection is usually based on the application requirements. The most common control station ordered is a hand held pendant with 2 push buttons (up/down) on a 10’ long or longer cord. The same push button can be upgraded to include a coil cord that is 4’ retracted and 20’ extended. The retracted coil cord minimizes the amount of cord potentially lying on the floor and when fully extended provides a good range... Read More
It is very common to have a declining approach at the loading dock and it’s important to know to how to protect the building walls from damage. Incoming vehicles backing down the driveway into position at an angle risk the top of the trailer impacting the building wall before the bed of the trailer contacts the dock bumpers. The main objective is to stop the truck backing into position well ahead of contacting the building wall. The most common and effective method to address this situation is... Read More
To understand why the scissor leg sets are stacked on top of each other first keep inmind thatthe longer the scissor leg assembly the higher the lift will go. For example a 4’ long leg set will provide approximately 3’ of lift, a 6’ long leg set will provide approximately 4’ of lift, an 8’ long leg set will provide approximately 5’ of lift etc. Following this ratio/guideline a lift table application that requires 8’ of lift would typically require a 12’ long leg set. Many applica... Read More
The main concern is operator safety as it relates to eliminating potential pinch/shear/crush points when the lift table platform and rotating top lowers into the pit. First the lift table is equipped with . Electric toes sensors are an interlocked 4 sided bar assembly that is suspended under the lower 4 sided edge of the lift table platform. When lowering if any obstruction (operator’s foot, debris etc.) contacts the suspended 4 sided perimeter bar the lowering stops immediately. Second the ro... Read More